Gasperini's fury at Brighton as Roma concede three in 50 minutes; wholesale defensive changes follow

Roma will open their 2026-27 Serie A campaign against Fiorentina on Monday at 20:45 in the late fixture of matchday one at the Olimpico. The fixture is far from a new one: the two clubs have met in Serie A's opening match on 11 previous occasions, a record that stretches back to the 1934-35 season. Roma lost 4-1 away at Firenze in that first meeting, but won 4-0 at home three years later. The Giallorossi took a narrow home win in 1942-43, while Fiorentina levelled the score with a Tuscan victory in 1947-48. Two meetings between the late 1960s and early 1970s both went to Fiorentina, 2-1 at Rome in 1968-69 and 1-0 in 1970-71. After a 20-year gap, Roma won 4-0 at the Olimpico in 1990-91, and then 3-0 at home in 2004-05. The most recent openers between the sides came in 2014-15 and 2021-22, both won by Roma at the Olimpico. The first saw goals from Nainggolan and Gervinho in a 2-0 victory, while under Mourinho in 2021-22 Roma won 3-1, with Veretout scoring twice after early goals from Mkhitaryan and Milenkovic. The upcoming match will give Gasperini's squad their first competitive outing of the season.

Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact at Roma since arriving at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre on Wednesday, impressing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini enough to earn consideration for a starting place in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini is expected to deploy his customary 3-4-1-2 formation for the league debut, with three attacking midfielders operating behind the front pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé remains the favourite for the trequartista role, but Mora has risen sharply in the pecking order after impressing in initial training sessions. Bryan Cristante offers an alternative and defensive balance, though the ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui, combined with Niccolò Pisilli's gradual return, may push Cristante back into midfield proper. The match is expected to draw a large crowd, with the visiting supporters' section now open to Fiorentina fans.

Paulo Dybala has stoked Roma's anticipation for the 2026–27 season with a message on Instagram ahead of the home fixture against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August at 20:45. The Argentine forward posted images from the 2–0 derby win on 17 May, writing: "The last home match, with desire to begin the same way." That victory saw Dybala play a starring role before Roma sealed Champions League qualification days later at Verona. The Olimpico is expected to be at full capacity as the giallorossi prepare for their season opener. Dybala enters his fifth season at the club in sharp condition following a high-level pre-season. Wearing number 21, he will be central to Roma's ambitions under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the campaign begins. The forward's public enthusiasm reflects the mood in the dressing room, where desire to replicate last season's closing surge is running high.

Jan Ziółkowski has attracted interest from Saudi Arabian club Neom, with Roma valuing the centre-back at approximately €20 million. The Polish defender found limited playing time last season and has not fully convinced head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, prompting the Giallorossi to consider offers for him. Several clubs from Saudi Arabia have already expressed interest in the 2005-born player. Gasperini would prefer to retain Ziółkowski over Daniele Ghilardi, but the Polish defender has a stronger market appeal due to his age, room for growth, and current involvement with the Polish national team. Roma's €20 million valuation also reflects a 10 per cent sell-on clause owed to Legia Warszawa from any future sale. Should Ziółkowski depart, Roma would be forced to pursue another central defender, likely targeting a loan arrangement with an option to buy rather than a permanent signing.

Roma's transfer activity is entering its most intense phase with 11 days remaining in the summer window. The club is prioritising the signing of a left-back and left winger, with the attacking department potentially reinforced only by a loan deal, possibly with a purchase option. The American ownership's strategy is taking shape through over €100 million invested to strengthen Gasperini's squad while lowering both wage bill and average age. The green line of investment—acquisitions targeting both immediate impact and long-term development—is evident across the squad. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini have agreed wage cuts on their renewals. Among the notable signings are two strikers and a Greek defender, contributing to an squad now containing 11 players under 25: Ziolkowski (21), Koulierakis (22), Ghilardi (23), Rensch (23), Pisilli (21), Koné and El Aynaoui (25), Mora and Vaz (19), Castro (21) and Soulé (22). These are players ready to perform now and into the future under a manager like Gasperini, who has consistently developed and promoted emerging talent. Potential arrivals of Fofana and Luis Henrique—or even just one of them—would further increase the number of young players in the squad. The possibility of selling academy product Ziolkowski and Matías Soulé remains under consideration as part of the squad restructuring.

Roma face a critical fortnight in the transfer market with 11 days until the summer window closes and just over 72 hours before the 2026-27 season begins. The squad still lacks depth in two areas: a left-back and a left-winger. Head coach Gasperini wants at least two players for every position, so director D'Amico is exploring both signings and sales to balance the books. Jan Ziółkowski is the primary candidate to leave Rome. Although Gasperini prefers Ziółkowski over Ghilardi, the Polish defender has attracted more interest—particularly from Saudi Arabia, where Neom recently made an approach—because of his age and senior international experience. Roma are seeking €20 million for him, with 10 per cent of any future resale due to Legia Warsaw. Should Ziółkowski depart, Roma would need to find a replacement centre-back, likely on loan with a purchase option. Matías Soulé has also drawn fresh interest from Sunderland, managed by former Roma sporting director Ghisolfi, though no formal negotiations have opened. Gasperini has secured Manu Koné's future despite Manchester City's interest, viewing a replacement midfielder as impossible to source within the remaining timeframe. A double signing remains possible, but with left-back prioritized, the left-winger may only arrive following a departure.

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

AS Roma has built a squad of striking youth following years of investing heavily in players under 25, creating a roster balanced between promising talent and senior experience. Paulo Dybala, who will turn 33 next November, is the oldest player on the books, followed by Bryan Cristante, Mario Hermoso and Pierluigi Gollini all aged 31, and Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini both 30. The remainder of the squad skews considerably younger, with 19-year-old Rodrigo Mora emerging as the club's most junior player, matched in age by Robinio Vaz though slightly older by a few months. Jan Ziółkowski is 21, while Castro and Niccolò Pisilli will turn 22 this year. The youth project, initiated under Daniele De Rossi, has been maintained throughout Gian Piero Gasperini's tenure across two transfer windows. Players born in 2003—Daniele Ghilardi, Devyne Rensch, Matías Soulé, Wesley and Koulierakis—form a strong cohort, with Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui the only two 25-year-olds in the squad. The young foundation is complemented by experienced operators: Mile Svilar, Donyell Malen and Evan N'Dicka are 27, while Molina is 28. This structure combines future potential with a stable base of proven professionalism.

Roma have less than two weeks left in the transfer window and must balance incoming reinforcements with outgoings. While it remains difficult to move Koné on, both Soulé and Ziółkowski are on the market. Ziółkowski arrived in the capital a year ago but has not convinced head coach Gasperini and may now generate useful revenue for the club's balance sheet. Roma's sporting director awaits offers, but the club is already preparing a defensive contingency plan. Koulierakis has arrived and will serve as Mario Hermoso's backup in theory, but should Ziółkowski leave, the club intends to plug the gap by signing an experienced centre-back on loan rather than permanently. In recent days, Oosterwolde of Fenerbahce was offered to Roma. The approach reflects the club's preference to maintain financial flexibility while addressing defensive depth before the window closes.

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

AS Roma has built a squad of striking youth following years of investing heavily in players under 25, creating a roster balanced between promising talent and senior experience. Paulo Dybala, who will turn 33 next November, is the oldest player on the books, followed by Bryan Cristante, Mario Hermoso and Pierluigi Gollini all aged 31, and Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini both 30. The remainder of the squad skews considerably younger, with 19-year-old Rodrigo Mora emerging as the club's most junior player, matched in age by Robinio Vaz though slightly older by a few months. Jan Ziółkowski is 21, while Castro and Niccolò Pisilli will turn 22 this year. The youth project, initiated under Daniele De Rossi, has been maintained throughout Gian Piero Gasperini's tenure across two transfer windows. Players born in 2003—Daniele Ghilardi, Devyne Rensch, Matías Soulé, Wesley and Koulierakis—form a strong cohort, with Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui the only two 25-year-olds in the squad. The young foundation is complemented by experienced operators: Mile Svilar, Donyell Malen and Evan N'Dicka are 27, while Molina is 28. This structure combines future potential with a stable base of proven professionalism.

AS Roma marked a double celebration on 20 August as the club honoured the birthdays of two figures from vastly different eras: Giuseppe Giannini and Evan N'Dicka. Giannini, the historic captain and one-club legend who spent over 15 years in giallorossi colours, turned 62. N'Dicka, the Ivorian centre-back, celebrated his 27th birthday as he prepares to begin his fourth season at the club. Roma acknowledged both occasions with birthday messages shared across its official social media channels. The contrast between the two reflects different chapters of the club's history. Giannini remains a symbol of Roma's golden era as one of the great one-club captains, while N'Dicka has established himself as a key defensive figure during the modern era. The dual celebration underlined the continuity of commitment to Roma, spanning generations and roles.